National standard basic support handed over to state secretary.

National standard basic support handed over to state secretary.

Friday 22 November, Ouders & Onderwijs together with the General Education Union (AOb) offered the advice for the new national standard for basic support to state secretary Mariëlle Paul. The standard makes clear what schools must offer as support for students with mild support needs.

What does the standard include?

The national standard focuses on three areas:

• Reading and spelling problems and dyslexia: For example, extended instruction and more guided practice.
• Giftedness: Think of extra assignments or adapted teaching materials.
• Task and work behavior: Such as help with concentration and working independently.

Why a standard for basic support?

Since 2014, when Tailored Education was introduced, basic support differs by region and school. This is because Partnerships Tailored Education could decide themselves what basic support is. This caused much confusion and differences between schools. The new standard now makes clear what basic support includes and when a child needs extra support.

Lobke Vlaming, director of Ouders & Onderwijs, often speaks to parents on the advice desk by phone and stresses how important the standard is: “Parents often do not know what support must be available in each school. That can be a long search. Now, parents are sometimes referred for light forms of support, while this should fall under the school’s basic support. Because of regional differences, information about this is often very hard to find.”

More clarity for teachers in training

The new national standard also helps teacher training. With this standard, it is clear what future teachers must know and be able to do about basic support. Training programs can adjust their lessons, so new teachers are well prepared for what is expected of them in practice. This gives students more guidance and makes it easier for schools to use new teachers in Tailored Education.

A milestone

The standard is the result of good cooperation between parents, teachers, and school governing bodies. According to AOb chairman Thijs Roovers, this is a breakthrough that has been called for years: “This basic standard makes sure we all now know what is expected of teachers in the classroom.”

What now?

The state secretary has received the advisory report. Vlaming says: “That it is now finished is really a step forward. I hope politics soon makes sure this is included in the laws.”